Lakeland Mayoral Race Features Three Contenders

By Bill Dries

With voters in all six of Shelby County’s suburban towns and cities to vote next month on forming their own public school districts, candidates in two of the towns are preparing for elections in the fall.

Thursday at noon is the filing deadline for candidates in the Arlington and Lakeland elections for the Sept. 19 ballot.

(Daily News File/Lance Murphey)

Thursday, June 20, at noon is the deadline for candidates in the Arlington and Lakeland elections to file for the Sept. 19 ballot. Those who file by Thursday’s deadline have another week to decide if they want to remain in the races.

The Lakeland ballot featured a three-way race for mayor as of press time Wednesday.

Bunker is serving his second term on the commission and is term limited with his term of office on the commission running out at the end of August 2014. Bunker has also served on the former Shelby County Schools board.

Carmichael is seeking a fourth term as mayor of Lakeland.

Candidates for two of the positions on the Lakeland Board of Commissioners who had filed as of press time included incumbents Don Barber and Cecil R. Tompkins, who is also vice mayor.

The other contenders so far, according to the Shelby County Election Commission website are John Wilkerson, Sherrie Gallick and Clark W. Plunk.

Voters in Lakeland do not vote for commissioners by district or position. The top two vote getters win the commission seats.

Three of the six seats on the Arlington Board of Aldermen are on the September ballot in what is an off year for the mayor’s race and the other three seats.

Arlington Vice Mayor Harry McKee is seeking re-election and faces a challenge from Joshua Fox for Position 5.

Position 6 Alderman Brian Thompson is seeking re-election and has a challenger in Larry Harmon Jr.